Mechanism for drilling wells.



H. R. DECKER. MEGHANISM ma MILLING WELLS. APPLICATION PLBD OFL 12, UUE, RENBWED SEPT. 171 15308 r 920,548, Patented May 4, 1909.

4 SHBBTS-BHEIET 1A H. R. DBKER.

MBCHANISM FUR DRILLING WELLS. APPLICATION rum M1212, 1900, RBNEWED 821,117. wasn Patented May 4. 1909.

H. R. DECKER.

MECHNISM FOR DHILLING WELLS.

APPLmATwN funn (m1121906. RENBWED SEPT. x7, w08.

Patented May 4, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

H. R. DECKER.

MBUHANISM POR MILLING WELLS.

APPLICTIN YILED OCT. l2. 153ml. RENIWED SHPT.17.1902. 920,548, Patented May 4, 1909.

4 SHE'I'SYSHHET 4.

'1: fauna :lmnp

UNITED STATES Il ARRY yIt. DECKER, 0l lHDUSTON, TEXAS.

MECHANISM FOR No. 920,548. Specification of QRILLING WELLS.

Letters Patent. Patented May 4, 1909.

Application filed October 12, 1908, Serial Noi 338,627. Renewedeptember 17, 1908. Serial No. 468,502.

A To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY. R. DEoKnR, acitizen of the United States, residin at Houston, in tbe county of Harris and tate Vof Texas, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Mechanism for Drilling Vells of which the following isaspecification.

My invention relates to machinery usedin drilling oil, water and gas wells by what is known as the rotary process,and consists in providing a rotary table for rotating,- the drill stein in which aitelesco ing cylindrical strue- 'ture is 1slidably moun'te in the opening in the table-rwith the drill stem clamping means mounted on saidtelescoping structure so thatthe drill stem maybe reciprocated vertically when itis desired to force through a hard formation, familiarly known as punch` ing gurnbo without loosening they rotary pi e grips.

hc telesooping structure and its connec- `tions are so constructed that whendesired' it may be held stationary and locked to the tu.- bular drillstem below a coupling or collar' wliile-a clamping Vstructure secured to the Q rotarly table is secured 'to the stem abovethe coup in `illustrate(l in thc accom g or collar and when the table is ro tated the upper length ofpi e may either be screwed into or out of the co lar.

Heretofore inv rotary tables whenever a collar or coupling is passing, through the v clamps it has been necessary tolstop the'drilling and open theclamping jaws so asto engage the coupling and 'after the couplingvhas passed on close the jaws together'onthe adjacent length of tubular stem. 1

In nig lmproved table the jaws may be raised a `ove the couplingand secured tothe length of tubing abovethe coupling Without resetting them on the coupling and thedrilling' proceed withoutinterruption to the next coupling.

when the tclescoping structure is in any position' high or low the 'levice may be used as an ordinary rotary drillingr 1n schine.

The description of the construction and .iporatiim of my' improved drillingmachine will be described in detail hcreinaftercnd' pn nying drawings in, yhicli-- Figure l is a vertical sectional View shewiug my improved device in operation-as a drilling niaclino, Fig. 2, a similar View show ing the machine m position for screwing or nnscrowing a length of tubing, Fig. 3, al1- 'other View' showingr the telescoping struciture extended, Fig. 4, a top plan View of the i table and tclescopingA structure, Fig.. 5`, a cross sect-ion of the telescopic' structure, Fig. 6, a detail view of one of t ie jaws conrnected with the table, Fig. 7, an enlarged View in cross-section of one of the links of the chainv used in connection with the clam )ing jaws, and Fig. 8 a fragmental View part v in section showing. the bevel gearing.

In th'e drawings-similar reference charactersindicate corresponding parts thnoughout the several views.

l indicates` a suitable foundation of timbers-onwhichl is mounted the bed plate 2 of my impnoved rotary table, said b ed plate bcing. provided-with a. circular raceway 3 in its rupper surface in which are'niounted the antifrlction bearing devices 4, shown in the dra'winvsas conicallyeshaped ylindeis but any other form. ofV beanings either anti-fric- ,tional or'not may be substituted as desired.

Seated on the-bed plate 2 and the bearings 4-isthe`rnastier wheel .5 having a'raceway 6 in itsbottomcsurfacp-to reoeivesaid bearings 4 andv held imposition by means of angular arms 'Z secuned to bed plate 2- and loosely mounted in circumferential groove 8 in the side of said.' master wheel. 1

` indcate'sa cylindrical extension from the inner portion: of the wheel 5 that bears against the inner surface of the bed plate 2 to act asa guide for the master wheel in the bcd plate and also serves toektend the opening in the master wheel and to guide the ctelcfco ing stnucture'hereinafter described` 1i) beveled gear\face 10 is formed on the sideiof the Wheel with which meshes a beveled pinion 11 keyed to shaft -12 that is 'driven by any suitable owen- 13 indicates cans on t e upper face of tho master wheel and adjacent to its outer edge, said ears being formed with slots 14 for thc purpose hereinafter stated.-

15 represents a cylindricnfl tube slidably mount-cd in the opening` 16 in tho mast-ci' Wheel having a beveled flange 17 Vextending,r `from its upper edge to scat in beveled do pression 18 in the master wheel to limit thc \ldo'wnward movement of the` tube. The in'- `-ner surface of the tube 15 is formed with `guidewwa rooves 15 while the exterior of thetube 1s or'med with other grooves 17'L to reoeie pins19-slidably mounted in thc n aster-wheel 5 having their inner ends bev ed asshown at 19, said pins being held normally withdrawn into the master-wheel and from engagement with grooves 17'* hy means of sprin Ys 20.

21 in( icates screw plugs having tapered lower ends 22 to bear against the beveled ends 19'* to project pins 1).

23 indicates another cylinder slidahly mounted in cylinder having longitudinal projections 23ato lit into grooves 15n in said cylinder l5. 'lhc upper end of cylinderill is formed with a flat table extension 24 having its outer edge notched as shown at 25 to lit over ears 13. lhe outer surface of cylinder 23 isgrooved as shown at 26 to receive the ends of screws or pins 26 secured in cylinder l5.

Secured to the upper side of table 24 are uides 27 on which are slidabl mounted the rames 28 actuated by screw s afts 29. The clamping 'aws consist of shouldered cylinders 30 journa ed in fra'mes 28 and. adapted to cngae the drill stem 3l.

t will be understood from the above description that whenthe telescoping tubes l5 and.,23 are in their lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 1, so that notches 25 engage h ears 13, power transmitted to the master wheel through shaft l2' and beveled pinion 11 will actuate said master-wheel and if the jaws 30 are clamped in drill stern 3] that it will be rotated with the table.

It will be also understood that by raising the inner cylinder 23 and projecting the pins 19 into grooves 17EL the jaws 30 may be seJ cured above a cou ling ring 32 on drill stern- 31 and as the dril 1n` proceed the table-will gradually settle unti 1t resume its position as shown in Fig. 1, or if a stratum of gumbo, shale, or other resisting substance be encountered the drill stern with the cylinders l5 and 23 (comprising a telescoping structure) may be reciprocated so as to punch through said stratum without loosening the jaws.

33 indicates arms having' hinged eriten sions 34 at their lower ends adapted to lit into slots 14 in ears 13 and with hinged jaws 35 secured to their upper ends having their ends formed to grip they drill ster-i131. Ad 'acent to the upper end of' eacharm is iormed claws 36 to receive one/of thc links 0f chain 37 While on the upper side of each jaw `is, secured a post 38 around one of which thechaln 37 is wound after securing tothe claws on one arm and then wound around t hc pipeAand secured to the claws on the, other arm. l The purposcof this construction is tlo admit ofthe clamps giving to the slight vertical movement incident to the screwing and unscrewing into and 'out of the coupling The links of chain 37 are preferably made of a soft material such as wrought iron and have securedtransversely thereof pointed plates 39 that operate as biting points for said links.

JJ) indicate hooks pivolally mounted iu supporting?r lugs 4l integral with the bottom of hed plate i2 and operated hy screw shafts 42 secured through the heams of frame l. 'lhesc hooks arc swung under and engage notches 15b in thc lower edge of thc cylinder l5 when it is desired to use the machine lor coupling or uncouplinp;F lengths of thc stem and operate to lift the telescoping structure so that the notches 25 are out of engagement l with the ears 13'. The master wheel 5 um)Y then he rotated independently of the telescopingI structureJ and 4hy clamping thc upper length of the stem hymeans of the arms Z' and their connections and securing the lower length of the stem aud` coupling to the teleseo )ing structure hy casting a-chain 43 severa times around the stem and couplingr and Securing one ond to a projection 44 on one oi the clamping frames 2S the lengths of pi ie may he screwed or unscrewcd by turning t 1e master wheel in thc proper direction.

45 indicates an e evator of the conventional type and 49 links secured to said elevator and adapted to receive a hook connected with a hoisting device (not shown) when it is desired to raise the drill stom.

l have shown and described' a telescoping structure consisting of two coactinc cylinders but it will he apparent that. the evice will operate with but a single cylinder or that more than two cylinders maybe em loyed as well as onl twor and I do not, tllierefore limit mysell, to the construction shown and described except where l 'have done so expressly in the claims lt will also be apparent that other forms of clamps than those shown and described may be used with my machine so that, exec )t Where s critically limited by the claims, l (llo not conline mvsell'v to the construction shown and described herein.

Having thus described my invention what 1. A casing` screwcr consisting of a revolving tahlc, a telescopicattachment carrying the clamping devices for holdin one. section of the casing stationar means or revolving thc table inde cndent y of thel telescopic attael'uncnt, amlpmeans for imparting the rotation of the table to another section of the casing to turn it frelatively to the first-uientioncd section, substantially as shown and described. v

2. ln combination with a rotary table for drilling wells, a telcscoping structure operatively connected thercwithiand carryin the drill stem clamping devices, substantia y as shown and described.

S. ln combination with a rotary tahle for drillingl wells having a central opening for the drill stem, a tube slidahly mounted in said opening, the drill stein clamping devices mounted ou said tube, and o erativc conncctions hctwccnstiid tablean tube t0 rotate them siniultancbsly, substantially as shown l lu combination with a rotary talile for drilling wells having a central opening lfor the *drill stem, a tube slidably mounted in said opening havingits u i' ier end extended horizontaliv to form a table having notches in its edge, the drill stem clamping devices mountcdon said f'table, and upwardly projecting ycars' on the rotary table to engage the notches in the table aforesaid, substantially asfshown and'desoribed.

`6.y In combination with a rotary table'for drilling wells having a central-'opening for the idr'illlstem, a tube slidablymounted in said opening having 'its inner surface l`ngitildii nadir grooved, asecond tube moun edinside of )i ho'first named tubehavng projections on its outer surface engaging the groovesinsaid s tirsbnfmed tube, the drillistem clriir'ipil'igdevices-mounted on -said tube, itnd operative rionnortion's between said table and .tiib's to 'mtsifte `them simultaneously, sbstantidlly-as shown sind described. 7.fl n combination with a rotary talilcfor drilling Wells'having a centri-ril openin ior the drill stem, a tube'slidablyindunt'e lin said opening having'its inner surface longitudinally grooved, a 'second tub'e mounted inside of the first namedi tube having projections on 40 its outer surface ei aging the grooves in said firstnamed tube'- t e inner tube having its 'upper end extended to form a table, the drill stein clamping devices mounted on said table, and o rative connections between said rotary tab eiand the table on the inner tube to rotate the tubessimultaneously with the rotary table, substpntiallyes shown and described. t -l 'i 8.1 Withpa 'rotary tablol'or drilling wells having a central opening for the drill steth, a tube sldably mounted in said opening having its surface. longitudinally grooved,` a seco be 'mounted inside of the lrst-nainedtibehaving projections on its outer surfaceen la.'gixi'gthe grooves in said first-named tubo, t e inner'tube having ,its upper end extended to form a table having its outer-edge notched, the drill stem clamping devices mount on said table, and ears extendingiipw'ar y from saidrotary table to engagethe notche's'in the edge of the table aforesaid, substantially as shown and described.fA

9. In combination'with a rotary. table for drilling Wells having a central opening, anda cylindrical device stationary drill stelnmouuted lin said opening consist ing 0i" lengths of pipe connected together by coupling rings, 'menus to clump one oi said coupling ringsand hold Ait stationary. armsl removably secured to the rotary table, claws integral with said arms, jaws secured to said arms and engaging thellengths of )ipe above the coupling ring, and a flexible element passed around said length of pi e and`sc c'ured to the claws aforesaid, sai( arnis and clarnxing elements operating to turn said lengt of pipe relative to the coupling ring. `substantially as shown and described.

i0. ln combination with a rotary table i'or drilling wells having a central opening, and a drill stem mounted in said opening consisting' Aoi lengths of .pipe connected together by coupling rings, means to clamp one of said coupling rings and hold it statxonaijv, Aarms `remova )ly secured to the rotary table, claws integral with saidarrns, jaws secured to said.

arms and\engaging the length of/pipe above the coupling ri a post vextending up- 'wardl from each :Jrwyand a flexible element passe around said len hofpipe and one of said posts and secure to sait claws, said arms'and olefin ing elements operating to turnsiil lengt ol' pipe relative to the scri 11.A In combination With a rotary table for drilling Wells having a central opening, and a drill stemmdint'ed in said opening consisting of flen'gth's of pipe; connected together by etiupling rings, a` c lindricalV telescoping structuremuntedin t e o ening in the table and surroundin the dril stem, means secured to ysaid te escoping structure to hold one ofthe coupling rings, means to holdsaid telescoping structure stationary, means secured to the rotary table to clamp the length of ipe above the couplin an` means to rotate the ta le, substantiallyl :1s-,shown -and described. V .E

f 12. In combination with a rotary table for drilling Wellshaving a central opening, anda drill stem mounted 1n said opening consisting of lengthsi4 of pipe connected together by coupling rings, a cylindrical structure mounted inthe opening in the table andvsurrounda t ble formed integral ing the drill' stem with the cylindrical devi e, a iiexible element passed around the couph g ringand suitably ring aforesaid,

secured toL thea tablel means to hold said i means-seemed to therotary table-to `ciampi the lenth of pipe above the coupling ring aoresai and means to rotate said rotary, table, substantiall as shown and described.

wlLIn combination with alrotary table for drilli and a dri Wells having a central opening, stem mounted in A:sT`a.1d-;--.openlng consisting of lengths of pipe connecte-d togather by couplin rings, a cylindrical structure mounted m t e opening in the table and drilling wells havi surrounding the drill stein, means to hold said cylindrical structure stationary, means secured to said cylindrical structure to hold one of the coupling rings, arms removabl secured to the rotary table provided Wit means to clamp the length of pipe above the cou ling ring aforesaid, and means to rotate sai rotary table, substantially as shown and cured to said cylindrical structure to hold one l of the cou ling r arms removably secured to t e rotagy table, jaws ivotally secured to -said-arms to engage the en th of pipe above said cou lin ring, a flexib e element passed/nroun sai length ofpipe and secured to rsaid arms, and said rotary table, substantially as shown and described. i i

v 15. In combination with a rotary table for drill stem mounte in said opening consisting of lengths of pi e connected together by coupling rings, a cy drical structure mount ed in the o ning in the table and surrounding the dr' l stem, means to hold said cylindrical structure stationary, means secured to .said cylindrical structure to hold one of the coupling rings, arms removably secured to means to rotate 4 a central opening, and a 92ans the rotary table, jaws ivotally secured to said arms to engage the cngth of pipe abijve said coupling ring, a 'post projecting above each jaw, claws ormed integral with each arm, a cnain passed around the length of pipe and one of said posts and secured to the claws, andmeans to rotate said rotar table, substantially as shown yand describe( 16. In' combination with a rotary table for drilling wells having a central opening, and a drill stem mounted in said opening consisting of lengths of pipe connected together by coupling rings, a cylindrical structure mounted in the o ening in the table and surrounding the drill stem, hooks pivotally secured beneath saidrotary table and engaging said cylindrical 'structure to hold it stationary, t

e upper ortion of said cylindrical structure forme( with a horizontal table, a length of chain lassed around the couplin ring and secured to the table, arms removably secured to the rotary table, jaws pivotall secured to said arms toY clamp the length o pi e above thecoupli rin 2 posts extending om the upper sideo sai jaws, claws formed integral with said arms, a length of chain passed around said length of pipe and one of the posts and secured to said claws, and means vto rotate said rotary table, substantially as shown and describe In testimony whereof I hereto aix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses. A HARRY R. DECKER. Witnesses: y

E. S. DENNis, J. A. N. Biinim'r'r. 

